Protected Geographical Indication

We are pleased to announce that Monari Federzoni has obtained PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) certification! The PGI seal (shown below) recognizes Balsamic Vinegar of Modena producers who follow strict guidelines in producing an authentic product. PGI certified products must be produced in a certain geographical area (Modena, Italy), and must follow stringent rules in the making of their products, and respect for these rules is enforced by a specially appointed supervisory body. All manufacturers of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena in Italy and all of Europe must follow the PGI law and have the PGI seal on their product in order to be able to call the product “Balsamic Vinegar of Modena”.

The Monari Federzoni brand is sold in over 50 countries worldwide. The company has been run by 4 generations of the same family for nearly 100 years. Today, Monari still remains faithful to its original philosophy: the love of one family for quality balsamic vinegar in the most authentic tradition of Modena.

Attached are additional details on PGI.

Finally, after 15 years, Monari Federzoni receives the recognition it deserves! In Brussels on Wednesday, June 10, 2009, the PDO and PGI Committee of the European Union awarded the prestigious denomination of the European Community to the Balsamic Vinegar of Modena. It’s a historic award which recognizes the importance of a product that epitomizes the reputation enjoyed by Italian producers all over the world, and is one of the most emblematic products of the city of Modena.

The award is of particular value to producers like Monari Federzoni, who have always placed a premium on the quality and authenticity of their products. The Monari Federzoni brand is known and appreciated in over 50 countries worldwide. The company, based in Solara, has been run by 4 generations of the same family for nearly 100 years. Now as then it remains faithful to its original philosophy: the love of one family for quality balsamic vinegar in the most authentic tradition of Modena.

The term Protected Geographical Indication, better known as PGI, is a certification awarded to food and agricultural products whose quality, reputation or other distinguishing characteristics depend on their geographical origin, and which are produced, processed and/or made in a certain geographical area. For a product to obtain PGI certification, at least one phase of its production process must take place within a designated area. PGI-certified producers must observe stringent rules in the making of their products, and respect for these rules is enforced by a specially-appointed supervisory body.

What it means for producers of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena:

A. PGI certification obliges all producers of balsamic vinegar to subject their product to stringent controls designed to offer consumers a guarantee of the quality of the product. Modern consumers all over the world are increasingly mindful of their health and their diet, and the European Union’s PGI certification is designed to ensure that consumers are buying an authentic product following the EU law production rules;

B. The EU certification system – of which the PGI designation awarded to balsamic vinegar of Modena is part – is also intended to safeguard and promote the produce of the Mediterranean tradition. Certification is therefore a major opportunity for all producers who place a premium on quality, for today’s consumers attach much more importance to the origins of what they eat, and are increasingly selective and discerning about their diet;

C. PGI certification is a safeguard against the adulteration, imitation and brand counterfeiting which damages the reputation of the authentic product. Therefore it defends and helps develop the economy;

D. PGI certification establishes precise and clearly-defined rules for all producers of balsamic vinegar of Modena and is an opportunity for them to secure greater returns on their labor and investment. Above all, it encourages them to put local assets to the best possible use – in this case, the grape vines typical of Modena (Lambrusco, Ancellotta, Trebbiano, Fortana, Montuni, Sangiovese, Albana). Only grapes from these vines can be used for production and are considered to be acceptable.

Additional information regarding PGI:

• PGI is mandatory for all Italian producers of balsamic vinegar of Modena

• No Italian/European producer can call the product “Balsamic Vinegar of Modena” on the label without having PGI certification and the PGI image present on the label

• Product cannot have any number listed on the label (years of aging)

• Balsamic Vinegars of Modena can only mention “Aged” on the label if certified product has been aged for a minimum of 3 years in wooden barrels